The topic of 9/11 is often difficult to navigate in the classroom, but as with most things in life, adding a dog to the mix can make things easier. If you are looking for a respectful and meaningful way to honor September 11th, then let’s explore this engaging, reflective 9/11 lesson plan for middle and high school students.
Play a Podcast for a 9/11 Lesson Plan
Stories resonate more deeply than facts alone. One powerful 9/11 resource is the podcast episode “This is Love – Episode 20: Roselle and Michael,” which tells the story of a guide dog named Roselle and her owner, Michael, during the attacks. Using this heartwarming story gives you an easy way to bring a human (and canine!) touch to this sensitive subject.
To play the podcast for the whole class, you can use the media player embedded in this post and your classroom speakers. Or, you can play it from the podcast app on your phone. To accommodate learners and make the podcast accessible for all, help students find and navigate the transcript which can be found at the bottom of this page.
I’ve been sharing this podcast episode for years, and hundreds of teachers agree that it’s one of the best 9/11 lesson plans for middle and high school students. It hits exactly the right note while providing a first-hand account of September 11th as well as insight into the abilities of people who have visual impairments. I can’t wait for you to listen!
Color a September 11th Memorial Page
To help students stay mindful and focused while listening, I swear by podcast coloring pages. Before playing the podcast episode, provide your students with coloring materials. Encourage them to color as they listen or read along with the transcript. This allows them to engage with the story while processing their emotions.
If you’d like a free September 11th coloring page that I designed specifically for this 9/11 lesson plan, you can grab it here:
This free 9/11 activity also includes a reflection page which leads me to this next 9/11 activity for middle and high school students.
Photo Source This is Love Podcast
Reflect on 9/11 Lesson Plan Prompts:
After listening to the podcast, guide your students through a structured reflection session using the following prompts:
1. Educate – What Did You Learn?
Encourage students to jot down key takeaways from the episode. This could be factual information about 9/11 or personal insights they gained from Roselle and Michael’s story.
2. Empathize – How Do You Better Understand?
Ask students to reflect on how the story helped them better understand the emotions and experiences of those who lived through 9/11. This prompt fosters empathy and a deeper connection to the historical event and those with different abilities.
3. Explore- What Questions Do You Have?
Encourage curiosity by inviting students to write down any questions that arose while listening to the episode. This can lead to a rich class discussion or individual research projects. To generate discussion, ask exploration questions like, “What stood out to you about Roselle’s actions?” and “How did Michael’s experience help you better understand 9/11?” “How did Michael’s experience challenge your perspective about blindness?” This encourages deeper reflection and connection.
9/11 Lesson Plan Conclusion:
Teaching 9/11 through the lens of Roselle and Michael’s story offers a unique, engaging approach that resonates deeply with middle school students. By combining storytelling with interactive activities, you create a respectful and meaningful learning experience.
Ready to bring this lesson to your classroom? Remember to download your Free 9/11 Podcast Pages to get started! These resources will help you implement this lesson plan seamlessly, ensuring that your students gain an understanding of 9/11 and empathy for its impact.
Let’s honor the memory of 9/11 in a way that educates, engages, and inspires.
If you’d like more general podcast recommendations for the classroom, keep reading here: Epic List of Podcasts for the Classroom
And since September marks the start of the fall season, you may also be interested in this post: Spooky Podcast Episodes for the ELA classroom
Hello!
We did this in our 7th grade and kids loved it! Do you have any recommendations for 9/11 for them as 8th graders this year?
Thank you!
Hello and thank you! So happy to hear! I don’t personally have a second recommendation, but I have seen other teachers use the 9/11 Memorial and Museum as a source. Here is their lesson plan library: https://www.911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers/lesson-plans